Aviation

China orders MAX 8 planes grounded after Ethiopia crash

China’s civilian aviation authority ordered all Chinese airlines to ground their Boeing 737 Max 8 planes indefinitely on Monday after one of the aircraft crashed in Ethiopia.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China said the order is to take effect by 6:00 p.m. (1000 GMT) Monday.

It said the order, issued Monday morning, was “taken in line with the management principle of zero tolerance for security risks,” becauseChina’s civilian aviation authority ordered all Chinese airlines to ground their Boeing 737 Max 8 planesin similar circumstances on Oct. 29, killing all aboard.

Further notice on whenChina’s civilian aviation authority ordered all Chinese airlines to ground their Boeing 737 Max 8 planes Administration and Boeing, the administration said.

Aviation

Air India’s US Service Takes a Hit with 60 Flight Cancellations This Peak Season

Air India, owned by the Tata Group, has announced the cancellation of around 60 US-bound flights scheduled for the busy travel months of November and December.

Traditionally, airfares between India and the US climb significantly during this period, and these cancellations are anticipated to push prices even higher, impacting both non-stop and connecting routes.

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The affected flights air india new routes include those from Delhi to Washington, San Francisco, Chicago, and New York, along with flights from Mumbai to New York. Currently, Air India remains the only Indian airline offering direct services to the US.

The airline attributed the cancellations to delays in returning several aircraft from intensive maintenance, alongside supply chain issues that have temporarily reduced its operational fleet.

An Air India spokesperson confirmed that the airline has had to cancel a “small number” of flights due to delays from its maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) provider.

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Additionally, some wide-body aircraft remain grounded due to technical issues, exacerbating the shortage of available aircraft.

The spokesperson added, “Due to the delayed return of some aircraft from heavy maintenance and supply chain constraints resulting in a temporary reduction in operating fleet, Air India regrets that a small number of flights have been cancelled between now and December end.”

Air India has assured affected passengers of a full refund, the option to reschedule for another date, or rebooking on nearby flights operated by the air india group, while expressing its apologies for the inconvenience caused by factors beyond its control.